Garment stretcher



| s STRlPLlNG 1,897,972

GARMENT STRETCHER Filed Nov. 25, 1931 2 sheets-sheet I l Im/vento@ Feb. 14, 1933. L. s. STRIPLING 1,897,972

GARMENT STRETCHER Filed Nov. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Patented Feb. 14, 1933 ATT LUKE S. STRIPLING, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSTGNMENTS, TO

NATIONAL GARMENT STRETCHER CORPORATION, F AMARLLO, TEXAS, A GOR- ORATION OF TEXAS GARMNT STRETCHER Application filed November 25, 1931. Serial No. 577,324.

This invention relates to garment forms.

In dyeing and cleaning garments it is highly desirable that the garment shall be dried, after removal from the liquid used, in

a close approximation to the form which it assumes when worn so that no wrinkles are formed which are difticult to remove even by pressing or ironing.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved and novel form on which such garments may be dried and which will permit the garments to be dried in substantially the 'form they will take when worn.

lt is also important that forms used for his purpose shall be of such nature as to accommodate themselves to the sizes of garments used so that shrinkage ot the garments may be prevented.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved inlatable garment form which may be inlated to the size necessary to tit within the garment to be dried and prevent shrinkage thereof.

lt is also desirable that means shall be provided for admitting air to the inflatable forms and for drawing it o quickly when it is desired to deflate the forms for removal from the garments.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of valves for such an inflatable form, the form having one automatically operating inflating valve and a second manually operable deflato ing valve.

A. fourth important object ot the invention is to provide novel means for suspending` the Jforms and the garments carried thereby. 4G A fifth important object of the invention is to provide the forms with novel means by which a garment may be secured in position thereon.

YVith the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sleeve form constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of a form constructed in accordance with this invention and adapted for use in the body of a garment, the form here shown being especially shaped for use in womens dresses.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the waist portion of the form shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 1 -4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7 7 ot Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a section through a trousers form constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figures 1 and 8.

Figure 10 is a section on the line 101O of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a view of a portion of an edge or crease strip used herewith` In the embodiment ot the invention as used for a garment sleeve there is provided a bag like body 10 ot thin rubber slightly curved as shown in Figure 1 and this body is somewhat wedge shaped in cross section so that, when inflated, the cross section is a greatly elongated oval. At the upper end of this body is a hanger 11 having a biiurcated base 12 which straddles the upper edge of the body and is held thereon by a reinforcing strip 13 vulcanized to the body and which is provided with a suitable opening for the passage of the part 11. Also, on the bottom of the body 10 is vulcanized a reinforcing strip 14 carrying a pair of loops 15 which support a rod 16. On this rod 1G are mounted clot-h tabs 17 by which the form may be pinned to the cuff portion of a sleeve, safety pins being preferably used for this purpose. Fitted in the bottom of the body 10 is an inlet valve 18 of the type commonly used in connection with the inner tubes of pneumatic tires, this valve being of the inwardly opening check valve type and having its body threaded e2;- teriorly for attachment of an air hose union as common in such valves. There is also a second valve 19 which has body Sie the inlet valve 18 but with the inner parts removed. On this body is screwed an ordinary petcock. By this means the form may be inflated by connection with an air pump7 the valve 19 being closed. Also, the form may be quickly deflated without it being necessary to push and hold down the check valve member in the valve 18 as is customary in delating rubber tires. If desired one or both side edges of the form may be providerL with crease forming means. Such crease forming means preferably consists of a blunt knife edge member 2O having staggered tabs 21 (see Figure 11) straddling tie edge of the form to which the creaser is applied. Reinforcing and securing strips 22 cover these tabs and are vulcanized to the body. The member 2O and its tabs are preferably made of metal or other suitable stiff material. While here shown as only applied to one edge it will be obvious that such a creaser may also be applied to the back edge. Also the form may be made without the creaser. It is not, however, deemed necessary to show in thc drawings these various forms as the construction thereof will be readily comprehended without further illustration.

Considering now the body form shown in Figure 2 it is to be understood that this body. while here shown as shaped to fit a womans dress, is not confined to the shape here illustrated, modifications of the contour being all that is necessary to adapt the form to mens coats, overcoats and the like. Accordingly it is not deemed necessary to show these variations in shape and proportions as all such variations will be formed to conform to the principle involved in this invention. In this device there is an inatable rubber body 23 suitably shaped to conform to the shape of the body of the garment to be dried thereon. On the top edge of the ner" portion of this form is vulcanized a reinrercing strip 24 which assists in supporting the inlet and de flation valves 25 and 26. These valves are of the same construction as those previously described. A hanger having a middle por-v tion 27, arched over the valves protectlv ing them, is provided with shoulder portions 28 resting on the shoulders of the body 23. These shoulder portions are preferably provided with sides 29 which embrace the shoulders of the form and securing strips 30 cover these shoulder portions land their sides 29 and are vulcanized to the body 23. At the bottom edge of the body 23 is a series of cloth tabs 31 which are secured to the body by a reinforcing and securing strip 32, vulcanized to the body. In case this type of form is to be used for a garment having awa-ist line which is desired to preserve a belt 33 of inelastic material is passed around the middle portion of the form and has its ends secured in length adjusting position by suitable means such as a safety pin 34.. At the back this belt passes beneath a vertical cloth strap 35 which has its ends secured to the body by tabs 36 vulcanized in place. A. pin 37 may connect the belt and strap at t esired point on the strap and thereby holdthe belt in vertical adjustment to accommodate the waist line of the particular garment on the form. In case this formis used for a skirt the cloth tabs 38 are provided on the belt so that the upper edge or waist band of the skirt may be pinned thereto.

In the form for trousers a separate form is provided for each leg, these forms being shaped to the contour of the garment as at 39. At the top of the form an arched hanger is provided corresponding to the hanger of the body form and similarly mounted. rlhis form is also provided with the reinforcing strip 24tfor the valves 25 and 26 and cover strips 10 cover the ends 28 of the hanger and are vulcanized to the body 39. The bottom of the form is provided with the rod 1G and tabs 17 as with the sleeve and creaser members 20 are likewise provided.

It will be noted that the form for any portion of a garment conforms in shape thereto and that the forms; when deflated, are of such size as to be readily inserted in the garments but, when inflated, may be blown up suiiiciently to cause the garment to lit snugly Vthereover so that no undesirable creases or wrinkles will appear in the dried Garment. Also, with this construction the only parts which extend into the forms from the outside are the valves and these, of course, are so arranged as to prevent leakage around them. Consequently, the forms are free from leakage points such as occur when hangers or other parts penetrate into the interior of the forms. Moreover7 by the provision of the cloth tabs the garments may be secured to the forms in such manner as to prevent drawing up on the forms of the edges of the garments. Finally, the belt arrangement is such that the waist line of the body form may be varied to suit the style of the garment.

There has thus been provided a simple and efiicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed as new, is:

l. In a garment form, an inflatable body having a waist portion, a belt of inelastic material surrounding said waist portion, ineans for adjusting the length of said. belt, garment attaching tabs Carried by the belt, and means to secure the belt in vertically adjusted position on the form.

2. In a garment Jform, an inflatable and expansible closed body conforming in shape to a portion ot a. garment, and a creaser carried by and projecting from a marginal edge of the body.

3. In a garment form, an inflatable and expansible closed body conforming in shape to a portion of a garment, and creasers carried by and projecting from opposite marginal edges of the body.

Li. In a garment form, an inflatable body conforming in shape to a portion of a garment, and a creaser carried by a marginal edge of the body and including` a blunt knife edged stiff member iXed to said body.

5. In a garment form, an inflatable body conforming in shape to a portion of a garment, and creasers carried by opposite marginal edges of the body, each creaser including a bunt knife edged stiff member fixed to the respective marginal edge portion of said body.

6. In a garment form, an inflatable body, a hanger attached to the upper end of the body and including an arched central portion, valve means for inflat-ing and deiiating the body carried by said body beneath the arched portion of the hanger, said Valve means including an inwardly opening check valve for the inflation of the body and a petcock for rapid deiiation of the body.

7. In a garment form, an inflatable rubber body, a sti creasing strip having staggered tabs arranged to engage over a marginal portion of the body, and a reinforcing and securing strip covering Said tabs and Vulcanized to the body.

In testimony whereof I aHX my signature.

LUKE S. STRIPLING. 

